Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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4,000 Miles in 10 Days from Motorcyclearticles.com Planning a vacation on a mo- torcycle is one thing, taking a 4,000 mile spin in 10 days is a test of en- durance. The right gear is neces- sary considering the amount of travel room you have on a bike. A good set of saddle bags should be sufficient to store everything needed. This adventure started in July from the west coast of central Florida at 4:30 in the morning at a bar called Peggy’s Corral. Day One: Having stopped at the gas station next to Peggy’s we saw the owner Rip and told him we would see him on the next Saturday when we returned. Our plan was to be in Massachusetts in three days for a yearly bike club rally. The itinerary was to travel approximately 500 miles a day, camping in state parks or camp- grounds. The first day was great. We traveled nearly 800 miles found a camp- site in South Carolina, pitched our tent, unrolled the sleeping bags and rested our weary bones. Day Two: Rising early, the day started out good but we ran into rain. Slipping into our rain suits, we ended up wearing them all day. Blinding heavy rain slowed us down considerably. Not getting far we decided to hun- ker down in Hazelton, Pa., to and dry our gear. Day Three: we made it to our destination by early afternoon and rode into a party going full swing. That night was the reason for the trip and we enjoyed it tremendously. We pitched our tent right there and rose early to continue our adventure. Day Four: After we left our friends in mid northern Massachusetts, we headed for Maine. That afternoon we had lobster on the docks in York Beach and continued Northwest. The White Mountains in New Hampshire have fantastic scenery and the views are breathtaking. Needing some rest, we decided to take it easy and got a room in Conway, N.H. Staying at hotels started breaking into the cash so we were glad to have a credit card. Day Five: We rode our bikes to the top of Mount Washington (tallest in the northeast). We traveled the breathtaking Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains into Vermont. That night we camped on the Canadian border at Lake Memphamagog in Newport, Vt. Day Six: the decision to cross over to Canada was made. Our destination, was Montreal Harley Davidson so we could acquire t-shirts. With our newly acquired shirts in the saddlebags we headed south back into the States and that night was spent at a campground on Lake George, N.Y. Day Seven: We traveled all day and spent the night in a Hotel in Hazelton PA, again that credit card cam in handy. Day Eight we traveled the Cherokee Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains and camped in Lynchburg, Va. Day Nine: Was spent traveling through the Carolinas and spending the night at a campground in Savannah, Ga. Dinner at the Red Hot Blues Barbecue was the highlight of the evening. Day Ten: Was our final leg. Our goal was to be at Peggy’s Corral in Palmetto, Fla., to support a fellow biker who had been in a life altering accident. We arrived around 2 p.m. on Saturday exhausted from our travels with stories to tell. The day ended with the acceptance of the “Iron Butt” award for coming full circle. If you are considering a long tour the following are suggested items to pack on and in your saddlebags for the adventure of a lifetime. 1. Tent 2. Sleeping bags (2) 3. Air mattress (2) 4. Rain suits (2) 5. Leather jackets (2) 6. Leather pants (2) 7. Motorcycle clothes (shirts,pants,etc) 3 sets each (2) 8. Motorcycle boots (2) Sneakers (2) 9. Personal hygiene kit (2) 10. Camera 11. Cell phone 12. Maps 13. Triple A emergency road service membership 14. Tire re- pair kit 15. Small tool kit 16. Cash and credit card JUNE 11 • HOMEGROWN HEROES/ OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL RIDE at the Cumberland County Courthouse. $25 per rider, $10 passenger. Registration 8 a.m. Ride at 9:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Officer Down Memorial and Wounded Warriors Project. Call 237-4950 for more information. JUNE 12 • CAPE FEAR HOG PIG PICKIN’ RIDE. Depart from the BP Gas Station on Bragg Boulevard & Sycamore Dairy at 10 a.m. Visit www.cfhog.com to find out more. JUNE 18 • BROTHERS FOR BROTHERS ANNUAL RIDE at Charlie Mike’s Pub. Registration 11 a.m. Food, auction, door prizes and more. All proceeds benefit the United Warrior Survivor Foundation. Call 322-9951 for more info. JULY 16 • CHRISTMAS IN JULY TOY RUN at Victory of Faytteville. Registration 8 a.m., depart at 10 a.m. Bring an unwrapped, new toy. $15 per rider. Call 426-5082 or 261-4601 for more info. PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse group of patriots from every state that come together to honor fallen soldiers at funeral services across the country. Visit www. patriotguard.org for more info. TUESDAYS BIKE NIGHT at Chili’s Grill and Bar in Southern Pines. Happy hour, drink and food specials. All bikes welcome. 4 p.m. to close. WEDNESDAYS BIKE NIGHT at Applebee’s, Cotton Square, Fayetteville, drink and food specials beginning at 7 p.m. All bikes welcome. $1.00 OFF ALL DRINKS THIRSTY THURSDAY For more information call LEGENDS at 4624 BRAGG BLVD. 18 UCW JUNE 8-14, 2011 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Gypsywomen Rock!